amicone

Amicone is an Italian noun used to refer to a very close friend or best buddy. It is formed from amico, meaning "friend," with the augmentative suffix -one, which in Italian often signals emphasis, affection, or a sense of greater size. The pronunciation is a-mi-CO-ne, with the stress on the third syllable.

The term is informal and predominantly spoken, though it can appear in casual writing or media. It designates a male friend or a mixed group when addressing close companionship; a feminine form, amicona, is sometimes used to refer to a very close female friend. In everyday speech the word can carry warmth and affectionate teasing, and its tone can vary with context.

Amicone is also a surname in Italian-speaking regions. As a surname it appears in Italy and among Italian diaspora communities. In onomastic terms, it likely derives from the same root used for the nickname sense of amico, though specific family histories vary.

Related terms include amico and amicizia, which cover the broader concept of friendship without the informal intensifier implied by amicone.